This self-released CD, which came out on May 29^th, is a very impressive debut from a Costa Rican blues man. Now residing in Tampa, Florida, this songwriter, guitarist and singer went to Austin, Texas, to make an album with producer and guitarist Anson Funderburgh.

Funderburgh brought into the studio an all-star assemblage which includes the rhythm section of Wes Starr on drums and Nate Rowe on bass. It also included longtime Funderburgh collaborator, tenor sax man Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff and his Texas Horns which include John Mills on baritone sax and Al Gomez on trumpet. Jim Pugh plays the B3 and piano. Funderburgh plays guitar on two tracks.

These musicians’ collective resumes, discographies and accolades in the blues music field are as Jim Pugh is want to say, ‘obnoxious’.

The star of this album is of course Ramirez. He is a confident vocalist with some nice chops. He is also a tasteful guitarist who understands the concept of song over solo. His playing evokes the aural imagery of B.B. King and Magic Sam among others. Ramirez’ original compositions dominate this eleven-song program. His material is often autobiographical and deeply personal.

The music here could be described, for the lack of a better phrase, as falling into the soul-blues sub-genre of this music. While that could be an entirely fair assessment it doesn’t really do the material justice, as the soul that is exhibited here comes oozing out of the pores of Ramirez and these musicians in a very organic way. Nothing here feels the least bit forced or contrived. Ramirez comes across like a real deal blues man who has been at this for years.

In visiting with the album’s producer Anson Funderburgh several years ago he told me the secret of producing a good blues album is to not record any bad songs. That sounds simple enough and even quite obvious on the face of it. He went on to say that no matter how good the musicians are that are being recorded, even the best can’t overcome bad material. For Ramirez and Funderburgh these great musicians who were assembled here didn’t have to face this problem. They are in service of some terrific original material and are up to the task. They, in fact, flourish under the leadership of this relative newcomer.

Congratulations Jose Ramirez. You have arrived.

- David Mac